7.30.2018 tmc huntplandraft · in 1955 the minnesota legislature passed legislation allowing...

TamaracNationalWildlifeRefuge

DRAFTHUNTPLAN

July2018

PreparedBy: Date: AlishaHaken,DeputyProjectLeader

SubmittedBy: Date:

NeilPowers,ProjectLeader

ConcurredBy: Date: TomKerr,RefugeSupervisor,Area3

ApprovedBy: Date: CharlesBlair,RegionalChief,NationalWildlifeRefugeSystem

Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge Hunt Plan

April 2018

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................................................................................4

1.1. TamaracNationalWildlifeRefuge................................................................................................................................................4

1.2. PurposeoftheRefuge........................................................................................................................................................................4

1.3. HuntPanPurpose................................................................................................................................................................................5

2. CONFORMANCEWITHSTATUTORYAUTHORITIES......................................................................................................................5

2.1. RelationshiptoOtherPlansandDocuments............................................................................................................................6

2.1.1. PreviousRefugeHuntPlans...................................................................................................................................................6

2.1.2. ComprehensiveConservationPlan(CCP)........................................................................................................................6

2.1.3. ServicePolicyRegardingHunting(605FW2)...............................................................................................................6

3. STATEMENTOFOBJECTIVES...................................................................................................................................................................6

4. ASSESSMENT...................................................................................................................................................................................................6

4.1. MigratoryBirds.....................................................................................................................................................................................7

4.1.1. Waterfowl......................................................................................................................................................................................7

4.1.2. Americanwoodcock..................................................................................................................................................................8

4.1.3. Wilson’s(common)snipe.......................................................................................................................................................8

4.1.4. Americancoot..............................................................................................................................................................................8

4.1.5. SoraandVirginiarail(ProposedNewSpecies).............................................................................................................8

4.1.6. Mourningdove(ProposedNewSpecies).........................................................................................................................9

4.1.7. Americancrow(ProposedNewSpecies).........................................................................................................................9

4.2. SmallGame.............................................................................................................................................................................................9

4.2.1. RuffedGrouse...............................................................................................................................................................................9

4.2.2. Gray,fox,andredsquirrel......................................................................................................................................................9

4.2.3. Easterncottontailrabbitandsnowshoehare..............................................................................................................10

4.2.4. Wildturkey(ProposedNewSpecies)..............................................................................................................................10

4.3. BigGame................................................................................................................................................................................................10

4.3.1. White‐taileddeer......................................................................................................................................................................10

4.4. Furbearers............................................................................................................................................................................................11

4.4.1. Raccoon,redfox,stripedskunk,andbobcat(ProposedNewSpecies).............................................................11

4.5. CumulativeHarvestAssessment.................................................................................................................................................11

5. DESCRIPTIONOFTHEHUNTINGPROGRAM...................................................................................................................................12

5.1. AreasoftheRefugethatsupportpopulationsofthetargetspecies.............................................................................12

5.2. CurrentRefugeHuntingRegulationsandOpportunities..................................................................................................12

5.2.1. CurrentOpportunities............................................................................................................................................................12

5.2.2. Access............................................................................................................................................................................................12

5.2.3. ConsultationandCoordinationwiththeStateandTribe........................................................................................13


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5.2.4. MethodsofControlandLawEnforcement....................................................................................................................13

5.2.5. FundingandStaffingRequirements.................................................................................................................................13

5.3. ProposedChangestotheRefugeHuntingProgram............................................................................................................13

5.3.1. AreastobeOpened..................................................................................................................................................................13

5.3.2. SpeciestobeTaken,HuntingPeriods,HuntingAccess............................................................................................14

5.3.3. ProposedRegulation...............................................................................................................................................................15

5.4. ConsultationandCoordinationwiththeState.......................................................................................................................15

5.5. ConsultationandCoordinationwithWhiteEarthTribe....................................................................................................15

6. MeasuresTakentoAvoidConflictswithOtherManagementObjectives.............................................................................15

6.1. BiologicalConflicts............................................................................................................................................................................15

6.2. PublicUseConflicts...........................................................................................................................................................................16

6.3. AdministrativeUseConflicts.........................................................................................................................................................16

7. ConductoftheHunt....................................................................................................................................................................................16

7.1. CurrentRefugeSpecificHuntingRegulations........................................................................................................................16

7.1.1. GeneralRegulations................................................................................................................................................................16

7.1.2. FederalRegulations(50CFR32.42)...................................................................................................................................17

7.2. AnticipatedPublicReactiontotheHuntingProgram.........................................................................................................20

7.3. MediaSelectionforAnnouncingandPublicizingtheHunt..............................................................................................20

7.4. GeneralRequirements.....................................................................................................................................................................20

7.5. HunterRequirements.......................................................................................................................................................................20

8. CompatibilityDetermination..................................................................................................................................................................20

References................................................................................................................................................................................................................21

AppendixA.CurrentHuntingMap(fromCCP).........................................................................................................................................22

AppendixB.CurrentHuntingMapwithRegulations.............................................................................................................................23


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1. INTRODUCTIONThisHuntPlanreassesstheexistinghuntplan,evaluateandincorporateopportunitiesidentifiedintheComprehensiveConservationPlan(CCP)forTamaracNationalWildlifeRefugedatedSeptember24,2010,aswelladdnewopportunitiesidentifiedthroughstakeholderandpublicinput.ThisHuntPlansummarizespasthuntdesignationsformigratorybirds,bigandsmallgame,andfurbearers.Italsodescribescurrenthuntingopportunities,howthesehuntsareconducted,andconflictresolutionwithothermanagementobjectives.

1.1. TamaracNationalWildlifeRefugeTamaracNationalWildlifeRefuge(TamaracNWR)wasestablishedbyExecutiveOrder7902onMay31,1938byFranklinD.Roosevelttoserveasa“breedinggroundandsanctuaryforbirdsandotherwildlife”.TamaracNWRencompassesnearly43,000acresandislocatedinBeckerCounty,innorthwesternMinnesota,18milesnortheastofDetroitLakesand60mileseastofFargo,NorthDakota.

ThenorthhalfofTamaracNWR(22,180acres)lieswithintheoriginalWhiteEarthIndianReservationthatwasestablishedin1867.Becausetwofederalagencies,the“IndianService”and”BureauofBiologicalSurvey”,nowrecognizedasthe“BureauofIndianAffairs”and“U.S.FishandWildlifeService”respectively,hadcompetinginterestsinthearea,amanagementcompromisewasnecessarybeforeTamaracNWRcouldbeestablished.The“CollierAgreement”,datedJune4,1935[AppendixG.inthe2010ComprehensiveConservationPlan(CCP)]pavedthewayforrefugeestablishment.

Followingestablishment,muchoftheareainthenorthhalfandconsiderablelandinthesouthernportionoftherefugewereacquiredfromwillingsellersandthroughBeckerCountytaxforfeitedlands.Significantlandshowever,inthesouthhalfwereownedbyinfluentialhuntingclubsopposedtotherefuge.Thisoppositionresultedinlegislativeactionin1941requiringtheGovernor’sconsentbeforefuturelandacquisitioncouldoccurinthesouthernportionoftherefuge.The“Governor’sLine”thatresultedessentiallyblockedTamaracNWRfromcompletionforseveraldecades.

In1955theMinnesotaLegislaturepassedlegislationallowingTamaracNWRtoresumeacquisitionandonMarch3,1958theMigratoryBirdTreatyCommissionapprovedthatlandsnecessaryforcompletionoftherefugecouldproceedaswell.By1968,acquisitionsfromwillingprivatesellersandlandexchangeswiththestateofMinnesotacompletedthemostsignificantremainingadditionstothecurrentrefugeboundary.Severalsmalllandpurchaseshavebeenaddedinrecentyears.

1.2. PurposeoftheRefugeTamaracNWRwasestablishedin1938…

“…asarefugeandbreedinggroundformigratorybirdsandotherwildlife:…”ExecutiveOrder7902,datedMay31,1938.

“…foruseasaninviolatesanctuary,orforanyothermanagementpurpose,formigratorybirds.”MigratoryBirdConservationAct,February18,1929,16U.S.C.715d

TamaracNWRcurrentlyprovideshuntingopportunitiesforsmallgame(ruffedgrouse,graysquirrel,redsquirrel,foxsquirrel,cottontailrabbit,andsnowshoehare),biggame(white‐taileddeer),andmigratorybirds(ducks,geese,coot,Americanwoodcock,andWilson’s(common)snipe),andfurbearers(redfox,raccoon,andstripedskunk)duringthestateseasons.

RefugegoalsidentifiedintheComprehensiveConservationPlaninclude:

1. Wildlife:protect,restoreandmaintainadiversityofwildlifespeciesnativetohabitatsnaturallyfoundontherefugewithspecificemphasisonServiceRegionalConservationPrioritySpecies.

2. Habitat:protect,restoreandenhancethewetlandanduplandhabitatontherefugetoemulatenaturallyfunctioning,dynamicecosystemsemphasizingavarietyofhabitatconditionsthatwerepresentpriortoEuropeansettlement.


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3. People:providepeoplewithopportunitiestoexperiencequalitywildlife‐dependentactivitiesandmakeaconnectionwithanatural,functioninglandscape.

Specificobjectives/rationaleofthehuntingprogramidentifiedintheComprehensiveConservationPlaninclude:

1. Annually,providenolessthan7,000qualityhuntingexperiencesontheRefuge.2. Seventy‐fivepercentofhunterswillreportnoconflictswithotherusers,areasonableharvestopportunity

andsatisfactionwiththeoverallexperience.3. HuntingshallbeconsistentwiththeRefugemissionandtheNationalWildlifeRefugeSystemImprovement

Actof1997.4. Refugelandswillbeopentohunting,subjecttostateandtribalregulationsandpublicsafetyconcerns,and

wherebiologicallyfeasible.5. Whennecessary,Refugestaffwillseekwaystoensurethathuntershavetheopportunityforhighquality

experienceswithbothprimitiveandimprovedaccessopportunities.6. AllhuntingwillbeconductedwithintheframeworkoftheRefuge,MinnesotaDepartmentofNatural

ResourcesandWhiteEarthReservationTribalConservationCode.

1.3. HuntPanPurposeThisHuntPlandescribesindetailthecurrentandfuturehuntingopportunities,howhuntingwillbeconducted,andconflictresolutionwithothermanagementobjectives.ThisHuntPlanisastep‐downplanoftheComprehensiveConservationPlan,completedin2010.

2. CONFORMANCEWITHSTATUTORYAUTHORITIESTheRefugeRecreationActof1962(16U.S.C.460K)authorizestheSecretaryoftheInteriortoadministerrefuges,hatcheries,andotherconservationareasforrecreationaluse.TheRefugeRecreationActrequires1)thatanyrecreationalusepermittedwillnotinterferewiththeprimarypurposeforwhichtheareawasestablished;and2)thatfundsareavailableforthedevelopment,operation,andmaintenanceofthepermittedformsofrecreation.

FundamentaltothemanagementoflandswithintheNationalWildlifeRefugeSystem(System)istheNationalWildlifeRefugeSystemImprovementActof1997(PublicLaw105‐57),anamendmenttotheNationalWildlifeRefugeSystemAdministrationActof1966.TheNationalWildlifeRefugeSystemImprovementActof1997providedamissionfortheSystemandclearstandardsforitsmanagement,use,planning,andgrowth.TheNationalWildlifeRefugeSystemImprovementActof1997recognizedthatwildlife‐dependentrecreationalusesinvolvinghunting,fishing,wildlifeobservationandphotography,andenvironmentaleducationandinterpretation,whendeterminedtobecompatiblewiththemissionoftheSystemandpurposesoftheRefuge,arelegitimateandappropriatepublicusesoftheSystem.Compatiblewildlife‐dependentrecreationalusesaretheprioritygeneralpublicusesoftheSystemandshallreceivepriorityconsiderationinplanningandmanagement.Huntingasspecifiedinthisplanisawildlife‐dependentrecreationaluseandthelawstatesthatassuch,it“shallreceivepriorityconsiderationinnationalwildliferefugeplanningandmanagement.”TheSecretaryofInteriormaypermithuntingonarefugeifitisdeterminedthattheuseiscompatibleanddoesnotmateriallyinterferewithordetractfromthefulfillmentofthepurposesoftherefugeorthemissionoftheNationalWildlifeRefugeSystem.

RecreationalhuntingauthorizedbytheregulationsdoesnotmateriallyinterfereordetractwiththeprimarypurposeforwhichTamaracNWRwasestablished.ThisdeterminationisbaseduponthecompletionofaCompatibilityDeterminationsignedonSept.7,2010(Section8).

TamaracNWRwasestablishedbyExecutiveOrder7902onMay31,1938.“…asarefugeandbreedinggroundformigratorybirdsandotherwildlife…”TheU.S.FishandWildlifeService(Service)administerslandsacquiredaspartofTamaracNationalWildlifeRefugeunderthefollowingauthorities:

MigratoryBirdHuntingStampActof1934 MigratoryBirdConservationAct16U.S.C.715d,“…foruseasaninviolatesanctuary,orforany

othermanagementpurpose,formigratorybirds.” RefugeRecreationActof1962,(16U.S.C.460k‐460k‐4)


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NationalWildlifeRefugeSystemAdministrationAct,16U.S.C.668dd(a)(2),“…conservation,management,andrestorationofthefish,wildlifeandplantresourcesandtheirhabitatsforthebenefitofpresentandfuturegenerationsofAmericans…”

TherearenoofficialvisitorcountsforvisitationassociatedtohuntingonTamaracNWR.Wehaveestimatedthatthenumberofvisitorsforthefollowinghuntstobeasfollows:biggamehunting–3,400visits,waterfowlormigratorybirdhunting–2,250visits,uplandgamehunting‐1,800visits.Theseanecdotalassessmentsarebaseduponlong‐termtrendsaswellascarcountsurveys.

2.1. RelationshiptoOtherPlansandDocuments

PreviousRefugeHuntPlans2.1.1.ThefirstHuntPlanforTamaracNWRwascompletedinMay1987,withafewreviewsandamendmentsin1990,1992,and1994.Inaddition,theRefugecompletedcompatibilitydeterminationsforpublicuses,includinghunting.HuntingwasdeterminedtobecompatiblewiththemissionoftheRefugeandhasminimalimpactonRefugeresources.

ComprehensiveConservationPlan(CCP)2.1.2.TheTamaracComprehensiveConservationPlanandEnvironmentalAssessmentcompletedinSeptember2010,wasusedtofulfillNEPAcompliancefortheexistingRefugehuntingprogram.ThisHuntPlanwillbeastep‐downfromtheComprehensiveConservationPlan.

ServicePolicyRegardingHunting(605FW2)2.1.3.AspartofitspolicyforconsistentmanagementoftheNationalWildlifeRefugeSystem(RefugeSystem),theServiceprovidesmanagerswithpolicyandguidanceforimplementinghuntingonrefuges(605FW2).Thispolicyisintendedtogovernthemanagementofrecreationalhuntingprogramsonnationalwildliferefuges.Thispolicywasdevelopedalongsideguidanceforallwildlife‐dependentrecreation(hunting,fishing,wildlifeobservationandphotography,environmentaleducationandinterpretation)presentedintheServiceManualchapter605FW1.

3. STATEMENTOFOBJECTIVESTheobjectivesofmigratorybird(Duck,Goose,Coot,Woodcock,andSnipe),biggame(White‐tailedDeer),smallgame(RuffedGrouse,Gray,Red,andFoxSquirrel,RabbitandHare),andfurbearer(RedFox,Raccoon,andStripedSkunk)huntingprogramsonTamaracNWRandthishuntplaninclude:

1. Providehighquality,diverse,andsafehuntingopportunitiesonRefugelandsthatminimizeconflictwithotherwildlife‐dependentpublicrecreationactivitiesandarecompatiblewiththeRefugepurposeandServicepolicy.

2. MaintainbiologicaldiversityandwildlifepopulationsatlevelssustainablewithRefugehabitat.3. PromotepublicunderstandingofandincreasepublicappreciatefortheRefuge’sandsurrounding

area’snaturalresources.4. Allowexpanded(new)huntingofmigratorybirds(mourningdove,soraandVirginiarail),smallgame

(wildturkey,Americancrow),andfurbearer(greyfox,bobcat)inaccordancewithfederalregulations,Refuge‐specificregulations,theWhiteEarthReservationTribalConservationCodeandthelawsoftheStateofMinnesota.

4. ASSESSMENTTheRefugehaspermittedhuntingsinceitsestablishmentin1938.Since1987,theRefugehasprovidedpublichuntingandadministeredahuntingprogramthroughahuntplanthatwasreviewedandamendedin1990,1992,and1994.HuntingandfishingopportunitiesareabundantwithintheRefugeandsurroundingarea.TheRefugeincludesadiversityofhabitats,includinggrasslands,woodlands,andmarsh.Theseareassupportwaterfowl,deer,


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turkey,squirrels,rabbits,andothergamespecies.Thefollowinggamespecieshavebeenevaluatedatalocalandstateleveltoassessoverallhuntingpressure.

4.1. MigratoryBirds

Waterfowl4.1.1.WaterfowlandresidentwildlifearemonitoredbyRefugeandMinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResources(MNDNR)staff.Waterfowlassessmentsarebaseduponthedistribution,abundance,andflightroutesofmigratorybirds.TheannualWaterfowlPopulationStatusReport(USFWS2016)includesthemostcurrentbreedingandproductioninformationavailableandisaresultofcooperativeeffortsoftheU.S.FishandWildlifeService,CanadianWildlifeService,andStateandprivateconservationorganizations.ThisreporthasbeenusedtoaidinthedevelopmentofwaterfowlharvestregulationsforMinnesota,aswellastherestoftheUnitedStatesforthehuntingseason.MinnesotaDNRcollectsdataonresidentspeciesthroughavarietyofannualsurveys,harvestdata,populationindices,andhistoricalinformation,whichareusedtodeterminehuntingguidelinesforeachspecies.

Statewaterfowlsurveysareconductedduringthespringonpredeterminedlocationsprimarilyfocusedonthenon‐forestedportionsofthestate.TheRefugeparticipatesinthesesurveysandprovidesadditionaldatatoinformtheannualstatewaterfowlhuntingframework.

Duringthespring,summer,andfallRefugewetlandssupportthousandsofwaterfowl,including27speciesofswans,geese,ducksandmergansers.Trumpeterswan,Canadagoose,woodduck,mallard,ring‐neckedduckandblue‐wingedtealareabundantwhilespeciessuchascanvasback,green‐wingedtealandlesserscauparelessprevalent.TheRefugeprovidesimportanthabitatforbreeding,restingandmigration.TheRefuge’sComprehensiveConservationPlanidentifiesanobjectivetomaintainaminimumannualpopulationof2,300breedingwaterfowlpairs(2,000dabblersand300divers),250breedingpairsofCanadageeseand25breedingpairsoftrumpeterswans.

ThepeaktimeforwaterfowluseontheRefugeisduringthefallmigration.Refugewaterfowlsurveyshaveindicatedthatover35,000ducksandgeesemaybeusingtheRefugeduringmidtolateOctober.Typically,MNDNRandtheWhiteEarthNaturalResourcesDepartment(WENRD)allowhuntingatvariousdatesbetweenmid‐Septemberandmid‐December.ThesedatesprovidehuntingopportunitiesontheRefugewhenwaterfowluseisnearitsheight.

IntheMigratoryBirdHuntingActivityandHarvestDuringthe2015‐16and2016‐17HuntingSeasonsreport(August2017),theUSFishandWildlifeService(Service)estimatesthat396,700huntersharvested4,962,600(±6%)ducksinthe14‐stateMississippiFlywayduringthe2016huntingseason.Inaddition,260,400huntersharvested1,178,200(±9%)geeseofwhich846,784(~72%)wereCanadageeseduringthesametimeframethroughouttheMississippiFlyway.

The2015and2016MNDNRSmallGameHuntingSurveyreportsestimatetheseasonalduckharvestinMinnesotatobe699,620(2014),663,811(2015),and606,458(2016).Duckharvestbetween2005‐2006and2015‐2016wasstablewithanestimated572,220ducksharvestedin2009‐2010(low)and784,360harvestedin2012‐2013(high).Hunternumbershaveslightlydecreasedwith75,170duckhuntersin2014,76,243in2015,and67,301in2016.

FortheRefuge’s2016RAPP(RefugeAnnualPerformancePlan),itwasestimatedthattherewere1,800waterfowlhuntingvisitsonTamaracNWR.Ofthose1,800visits,approximately80%werehuntingspecificallyforducks(1,440visits).Usingthenumberofhunterdaysorvisitsandtheseasonalharvestperhunter,theRefugewasabletocalculatetheestimatednumberofhuntersandbirdsharvestedontheRefugeperyear.Asaresult,itisestimatedthat260huntersharvested2232ducksthroughoutthe2016seasonontheRefuge,whichisapproximately0.4%oftheduckharvestinMinnesota.

The2016MNDNRSmallGameHuntingSurveyreportestimatestheseasonalCanadagooseharvestinMinnesotatobe204,825in2016.Canadagooseharvestbetween2005‐2006and2015‐2016wasrelativelystablewithanestimated185,012geeseharvestedin2015‐2016(low)and324,498harvestedin2006‐2007(high).Hunternumbershavebeenslightlydecreasingwith48,240goosehuntersin2014,45,938in2015and40,950in2016.


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AccordingtotheMigratoryBirdHuntingActivityandHarvestDuringthe2015‐16and2016‐17HuntingSeasonsreport(August2017),theServiceestimatesthat177,700(±25%)geeseareharvestedinMinnesotaspecifically,byapproximately42,000(±11%)goosehuntersin2016.Whencomparedtoduckhunting,itisestimatedthatabout15%ofthewaterfowlvisitsarespecificallyforgeese.Usingthe2016RAPPdata,itisestimatedthattheRefugehostedapproximately53huntersthatharvested223geeseontherefugein2016,whichisabout0.13%ofthetotalestimatedgeeseharvestedinthestate.

Americanwoodcock4.1.2.IntheMigratoryBirdHuntingActivityandHarvestDuringthe2015‐16and2016‐17HuntingSeasonsreport(August2017),theServiceestimatesthetotalactivewoodcockhunterswas95,600in2015and104,800in2016,andtotalwoodcockharvestwas200,200(±15%)in2015and202,300(±16%)in2016throughouttheUnitedStates.ForMinnesotaspecifically,theestimatedseasonalwoodcockharvestwas13,500woodcockhuntersinboth2015and2016,andanestimatedwoodcockharvestof25,600(±42%)in2015,and25,900(±36%)in2016.Inthe2016RAPP,itwasestimatedthatapproximatelysevenhuntersharvested13birdsfromtheRefugein2016or0.05%ofthetotalharvestforthestateofMinnesota.AccordingtoSeamansandRau(2017),harvestin2016‐17was26.0%lessthanthelong‐term(1999‐2015)average(213,400birds/year)and8.4%morethanlastyear(145,700birds)intheCentralRegion.

AnecdotaldataobservedbyRefugestaffindicatesthattheharvestratesforthisspeciesmaybelocallyhigherthanwhatisextrapolatedfromtheMigratoryBirdHuntingActivityandHarvestDuringthe2015‐16and2016‐17HuntingSeasonsreport.However,localharvestsofthisspecieswouldstillbeaninsignificantportionoftheoverallstateharvest.

Wilson’s(common)snipe4.1.3.Populationsizes,andtrendsinabundance,areessentiallyunknownforsnipeandrailsattheflywayandnationallevels.Veryfewhuntersattempttoharvestthisspecies.InMigratoryBirdHuntingActivityandHarvestDuringthe2015‐16and2016‐17HuntingSeasonsreport(August2017),theServiceestimatesabout17,200peoplehuntedsnipein2015and17,300in2016,andtheyharvested44,500(±47%)and118,400(±55%)snipein2015and2016,respectively,throughouttheUS.InMinnesotaspecifically,itisestimatedthattherewere200huntersin2016and300huntersin2017,andanestimatedsnipeharvestof500(±195%)in2015,and700(±113%)in2016.Interpolatingfromthenumberpreviouslypresentedandthe2016RAPPdata,itwasestimatedthatlessthantwosnipewereharvestedfromtheRefugein2016or0.29%ofthetotalharvestforthestateofMinnesota.

AnecdotaldataobservedbyRefugestaffindicatesthattheharvestratesforthisspeciesmaybelocallyhigherthanwhatisextrapolatedfromtheMigratoryBirdHuntingActivityandHarvestDuringthe2015‐16and2016‐17HuntingSeasonsreport.However,localharvestsofthisspecieswouldstillbeaninsignificantportionoftheoverallstateharvest.

Americancoot4.1.4.IntheMigratoryBirdHuntingActivityandHarvestDuringthe2015‐16and2016‐17HuntingSeasonsreport(August2017),theServiceestimatescoothunters(about27,400in2015and21,800in2016)harvested253,200(±92%)cootsin2015and138,200(±61%)in2016throughouttheUS.InMinnesota,therewereapproximately1500activecoothuntersin2015and2900in2016.Thesehuntersharvestedabout4,400cootin2015and18,700cootin2016.Usingthe2016RAPPdata,theRefugeestimatedthatapproximately30huntersharvested192birdsfromtheRefugein2016or1.02%ofthetotalharvestforthestateofMinnesota.

SoraandVirginiarail(ProposedNewSpecies)4.1.5.CurrentlythereisnotahuntingseasonforthesespeciesontheRefuge,however,theseareproposed“new”harvestablespecies.SimilartotheWilson’s(common)snipe,veryfewhuntersattempttoharvestthesespeciesandthepopulationsizesandtrendabundanceisunknownatalocalandnationallevel.IntheMigratoryBirdHuntingActivityandHarvestDuringthe2015‐16and2016‐17HuntingSeasonsreport(August2017),theServiceestimatesapproximately6,400railhuntersharvested26,800(±68%)birdsin2015and1,300railhuntersharvested14,500(±41%)birdsin2016throughouttheUS.SpecificallyforMinnesota,zerorailwerereportedharvestedinboth2015and2016.Likewise,therewerezeroreportedactiverailhuntersin2015andonly100activerailhuntersin2016.


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Mourningdove(ProposedNewSpecies)4.1.6.LikethesoraandVirginarail,atpresent,thereisnohuntingseasonforthisspeciesontheRefuge,however,thisaproposed“new”harvestablespecies.ThemourningdoveisthemostabundantandmostharvestedmigratorygamebirdintheU.S.IntheMigratoryBirdHuntingActivityandHarvestDuringthe2015‐16and2016‐17HuntingSeasonsreport(August2017),theServiceestimatesapproximately748,800dovehuntersharvested13,157,300(±6%)mourningdovesin2015and837,800huntersharvested13,502,000(±8%)in2016.ForMinnesotaspecifically,theestimatedseasonaldoveharvestwas96,700inboth2015and2016.AccordingtotheService’sMorningDovePopulationStatus(2016),themostrecentestimatesindicatethattherewere266millionmourningdovesintheU.S.immediatelypriortothe2015huntingseason.Comparedtopreviousyears,abundanceappearedtoremainrelativelyunchangedinthecentralmanagementunit,whichincludesMinnesota.

Americancrow(ProposedNewSpecies)4.1.7.Presently,thereisnohuntingseasonfortheAmericancrowontheRefuge,however,thisaproposed“new”harvestablespecies.CurrentlytheStatehasestablishedfourhuntingseasonsforAmericancrow:the1stisfromJanuary1‐15,2ndisfromMarch1‐31,3rdisfromSeptember1‐October31,4thisfromDecember15‐31.ThetotalhuntingdaysforAmericancrowis124andexcludesthenestingseason.IntheU.S.,thisspecieshasbeenprotectedbytheMigratoryBirdTreatyActsince1971,buthuntingisallowed.Individualstatessethuntingseasons(nottoexceed124days)thatexcludethenestingseason(ClappandBanks1993).Usingthetotalnumberofstatewidehunters(7,412)multipliedbytheestimatedrateofhuntersuccess(86%),thenumberof“successful”hunterscanbeestimated(6,374).Multiplyingthemeanharvestforsuccessfulhunters(7.6birds)bythenumberofsuccesshunters(6,374),theRefugeestimatesthatapproximately48,442AmericancrowwereharvestedthroughoutthestateofMinnesotainthe2016‐2017seasonaccordingtothe2016SmallGameHunterMailSurveydata.TheAmericancrowisaveryabundantpermanentresidentandamigrantthroughouttheRefuge.BreedingBirdSurveydatashowsignificantincreasesnationwideforAmericancrowpopulationsfrom1966‐1996(VerbeekandCaffrey2002).

4.2. SmallGame

RuffedGrouse4.2.1.Accordingtothe2016SmallGameHunterMailSurvey,ruffedgrouseharvestincreasedslightlyfrom267,997grousein2015to308,955in2016.TheMNDNRalsoestimatesthatthereareapproximately82,348grousehuntersinthestate.Usingthesuccessrateof3.8ruffedgrouseharvestedperdayperhunterperseason(MNDNR),thetotalhuntingdaysinthe2016ruffedgrouseseason(119days),andthe1,615grousehuntingvisitsthattookplaceontherefuge(2016RAPPdata);theRefugeisabletoestimatethat52ruffedgrousewereharvestedontheRefugein2016.TheestimatednumberofharvestedruffedgrousetakenfromtheRefugerepresentsabout0.0001%ofthetotalharvestedruffedgrouseinthestate.

AnecdotaldataobservedbyRefugestaffindicatesthattheharvestratesforthisspeciesmaybelocallyhigherthanwhatisextrapolatedfromthe2016SmallGameHunterMailsurvey.Atmost,wepredictalocalharvestnotgreaterthan150birds.However,localharvestsofthisspecieswouldstillbeaninsignificantportionoftheoverallstateharvest.

Gray,fox,andredsquirrel4.2.2.Accordingtothe2016SmallGameHunterMailSurvey,squirrelharvestdecreasedslightlyfrom96,400(2015)to95,374(2016)forgraysquirreland46,383(2015)to39,603(2016)forfoxsquirrel.TheMNDNRalsoestimatesthatthereareapproximately23,806graysquirrelhuntersand13,625foxsquirrelhuntersin2016throughoutthestate.Usingacombined(grayandfoxsquirrel)successrateof6.9squirrelharvestedperdayperhunterperseason(MNDNR),thetotalhuntingdaysinthe2016squirrelseason(171days),andtheestimated95squirrelhuntingvisitsthattookplaceontherefuge(2016RAPPdata);itwasestimatedthatonly4squirrelwereharvestedontheRefugein2016.Theestimatednumberofharvestedgrayand/orfoxsquirreltakenfromtheRefugerepresentsabout0.00003%ofthetotalharvestedsquirrelsinMinnesota.

RedsquirrelharvestnumberswerenotreportedbytheMNDNRastheyareanunprotectedspeciesandthereforehavenotbeendiscussedhere.Itisestimatedthatredsquirrelharvesttrendsarelessthantheharvestnumbersreportedforeitherfoxorgraysquirrelhereontherefuge.


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AnecdotaldataobservedbyRefugestaffindicatesthattheharvestratesforthisspeciesmaybelocallyhigherforthanwhatisextrapolatedfromthe2016SmallGameHunterMailsurvey.Atmost,wepredictalocalharvestnotgreaterthan30squirrels.However,localharvestsofthisspecieswouldstillbeaninsignificantportionoftheoverallstateharvest.

Easterncottontailrabbitandsnowshoehare4.2.3.The2016SmallGameHunterMailSurveyreportsrabbitandhareharvestat41,716in2015and49,187in2016foreasterncottontailrabbitand6,374in2015and5,990in2016forsnowshoehare.TheMNDNRalsoestimatesthatthereareapproximately16,096rabbithuntersand3,369harehuntersin2016throughoutthestate.Usingacombined(easterncottontailrabbitandsnowshoehare)successrateof4.9rabbitsand/orhareharvestedperdayperhunterperseason(MNDNR),thetotalhuntabledaysinthe2016rabbitandhareseason(171days),andtheestimated95rabbitand/orharehuntingvisitsthattookplaceontherefuge(2016RAPPdata);wewereabletoestimatethatonly3rabbitand/orharewereharvestedontheRefugein2016.TheestimatednumberofharvestedrabbitsandharetakenfromtheRefugerepresentsabout0.00005%ofthetotalharvestedrabbitsinMinnesota.

AnecdotaldataobservedbyRefugestaffindicatesthattheharvestratesforthisspeciesmaybelocallyhigherforthanwhatisextrapolatedfromthe2016SmallGameHunterMailsurvey.Atmost,wepredictalocalharvestnotgreaterthan25rabbitsandhares.However,localharvestsofthisspecieswouldstillbeaninsignificantportionoftheoverallstateharvest.

Wildturkey(ProposedNewSpecies)4.2.4.CurrentlytheMNDNRofferstwoseasonseachyeartoharvestwildturkey,inthefallandinthespring.AccordingtotheMinnesota’sWildTurkeyharvest–Fall2016,Spring2017reportbytheMNDNR,inthespringof2016theMNDNRreported12,313turkeywereharvestedovera49‐dayseasonby39,648permitholders.Thissamereportalsoindicatedthat8,562permitholdersthroughoutthestateharvested1,111turkeyovera30‐dayseasoninthefallof2016.Since1990,springturkeyharvestrateshaveslightlyincreasedandfallturkeyharvestrateshaveremainedrelativelystable.AccordingtotheMNDNR,Minnesota'swildturkeypopulationisexpandingnorthandwestandhasgrownfromjustafewbirdsintheearly1970stomorethan70,000today.InformalsurveysandstaffobservationsindicateastabletoslightlyincreasingwildturkeypopulationontheRefuge.TheRefugepredictsthatapproximately5individualswouldbeharvestedannually.

4.3. BigGame

White‐taileddeer4.3.1.MinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResources(MNDNR)deerharvestsummaryinformationfor1995‐2016identifiedthestate‐wideharvestofdeerrangedfrom139,442toahighof290,525.Averageharvestforthisperiodisjustover205,000deerannually.However,thataverageiscloserto170,000deerharvestedannuallyfrom2011‐2015.In2016,thetotaldeerharvestwas173,213deerby609,399huntersacrossallseasonsandalllicensetypesthroughoutthestateofMinnesota.Lowerannualharveststypicallycoincidecloselywithseverewinterevents.

TheRefugepermitsarchery,firearmandmuzzleloaderdeerhuntinginaccordancewithMinnesotastateseasonsandWhiteEarthTribalarchery,firearmandmuzzleloaderseasonsonthatportionoftheRefugethatlieswithintheextantboundaryoftheWhiteEarthReservation.Deerhunting,especiallyduringthedeerfirearmseasons,hasalwaysbeenapopularactivityontheRefuge.

MinnesotaFirearmsDeerPermitArea251followstheboundaryoftheRefuge.Deerharvestdatafor2011‐2015indicatesastableaverageharvestofabout130deerannually,with142harvestedin2016foralllicensetypesthroughoutthedeerseasoninpermitarea251.TheRefugeestimatesthat20additionaldeerareharvestedduringthetribalandstatearcheryandmuzzleloaderseasonscombined.Thetotalannualharvestin2016isestimatedat162deerorapproximately0.09%ofthestate‐widetotalharvest.

Themostsignificantuseofhuntingasamanagementtoolinvolvesregulatingthedeerpopulationatlevelscompatiblewiththehabitatmanagementgoalsandobjectives.Thisapproachpromoteshabitatrestorationandmanagementgoalstoalleviatebrowselinesandimpactstohabitatrestorationeffortslikepinereforestationandnaturalregeneration;reducecropdepredationonneighboringlands;reducethechanceforstarvationandspread


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ofdisease,suchasChronicWastingDisease,withinthedeerpopulation;andreducesthevehicle/deercollisionsonadjacentroads.TheRefugeComprehensiveConservationPlanidentifiesdeerpopulationmanagementgoalsthatcorrelatewiththeoverallhabitatmanagementandrestorationobjectivesoftheRefuge.TheRefuge’sgoalofmanagingdeerpopulationatpre‐fawningdensitiesof13‐17deerpersquaremileminimizeshabitatdegradationcausedbyoverbrowsingespeciallyinareaswherepineregenerationistheprimaryhabitatobjective.TheRefugeworksannuallywiththeMNDNRtoidentifydeerpopulationmanagementgoalsfortheRefugethatbalanceshabitatmanagementgoalsandhunterharvestopportunities.Inaddition,white‐taileddeermaybenefitfromsomeofthehabitatmanagementpracticesandhabitatrestorationeffortsundertakenontheRefugeforotherspecies.

4.4. Furbearers

Raccoon,redfox,stripedskunk,andbobcat(ProposedNewSpecies)4.4.1.MNDNRshowstable,huntablepopulationsofthesefurbearers.TheRefugedoesnotperformanymanagementpracticesspecificallyforraccoon,redfoxorstrippedskunkpopulations,althoughtheymaybenefitfromsomeofthehabitatmanagementpracticesandhabitatrestorationeffortsundertakenontheRefugeforotherspecies.ThevastmajorityoftheRefugeprovidessuitablehabitatforthesefurbearerspecies.Thehuntingpressureofthesespeciesisdependentonthepriceofpeltsinanygivenyear.HuntingseasonsforthesespeciesonTamaracNWRarefromSeptember1throughtheendofFebruaryandduringdaylighthoursonlyandinaccordancetostateandtribalseasons.

The2016SmallGameHunterMailSurveyreportsthat22,312raccoonwereharvestedby5,840hunters,2,247redfoxwerehuntedby3,594huntersthroughoutthestate.TheRegisteredFurbearerHarvestStatistics2015‐16reportbytheMNDNRstatedthat109bobcatwereharvestedby68huntersthroughoutMinnesotainthe2015‐2016season(thisdoesnotincludethetakeof657bobcatby355trappers).ThestripedskunkisclassifiedasanunprotectedspeciesbytheMNDNRandharvestestimatesarenotavailableforthisspecies.Usingthe2016RAPPdata,theRefugeestimatedthatapproximately95visitswereassociatedtoharvestofraccoon,redfox,orstrippedskunk.Usingacombinedsuccessrateforraccoonsandredfoxof4.4perdayperhunterbaseduponinformationprovidedbytheMNDNR,itisestimatedthatapproximately4individualsofraccoonand/orredfoxareharvestedontheRefugeinagivenyear.Atthehighestpotentialrateofharvest(4raccoonor4redfox),itisestimatedthattheharvestontheRefugein2016forraccoonandredfoxareapproximately0.02%and0.18%ofthetotalstateharvestrespectively.Theseapproximationsarethehighestpotentialratesgiventhattheestimated95visitsaresharedacrossthreespecies:raccoon,redfox,andstripedskunk.

4.5. CumulativeHarvestAssessmentRecentassessmentsofgamespecieshunted(i.e.white‐taileddeer,waterfowl,othermigratorybirds,andturkey)ontheRefugeindicatethattherearenosignificantdeclinesinpopulationlevelsandthatharvestontherefugewouldhavelittletonoimpactontheoverallpopulationlevelsofthetargetspecies,otherwildlifepopulations,orotherpriorityrefugeobjectives.HarvestbyWhiteEarthtribalhuntersisunknown;however,thelong‐termtrendsseemtobestable.


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5. DESCRIPTIONOFTHEHUNTINGPROGRAM

5.1. AreasoftheRefugethatsupportpopulationsofthetargetspecies.TamaracNWRliesintheglaciallakecountryofnorthwesternMinnesota,intheheartofoneofthemostdiversetransitionzonesinNorthAmerica.Hereeasterndeciduoushardwoods,northernconiferousforestsandwesterntallgrassprairieconverge,creatingarichassemblageofbothplantsandanimals.

Thelandscapeischaracterizedbyrollingforestedhillsinterspersedwithshallowlakes,rivers,marshesandshrubswamps.Sixtypercentoftherefugeisforestedwithaspen,jackpine,redpine,balsamfir,paperbirch,redandwhiteoak,sugarmapleandbasswoodtreetypes.Largeandsmallwetlandcomplexescompriseaboutthirty‐fivepercentoftherefuge.Manyrefugelakesandriverscontainlargenativewildricebedswhichproduceabundantfoodforwaterfowlandotherwetlanddependentspecies.Twenty‐eightlakesliewithintherefugeandthreeriversflowthroughtherefuge,whilemarshesandwoodedpotholesnumberseveralthousand.TheremainingfivepercentofTamaracNWRaregrassland,mostlyremnantsofearlysettlerclearingsorsmallfarms.

5.2. CurrentRefugeHuntingRegulationsandOpportunities

CurrentOpportunities5.2.1.Mostoftherefugesupportshuntablepopulationsofgamespeciesandisopentothepublicforsometypeofrecreationaluse(hunting,fishing,wildlifeobservation,interpretation,photography,andorenvironmentaleducation).TheSanctuaryareaisthenortherntwo‐thirdsoftheRefuge,northofCountyHighway26.ThisareaisopentothegeneralpublicfromSeptember1–endofFebruaryeachyearforthebenefitofnestingandbreedingwildlifeandprovidesbalancebetweentherefugestrustwildliferesponsibilitiesandvisitorsparticipatinginotherpopularprioritypublicuses.

MigratoryBirdTamaracNWRisopentoduck,goose,coot,woodcock,andsnipehuntingonapproximately15,584.4acresor35.9%oftheRefugebeforeOctober15inaccordancetoStateandTribalRegulations.AfterOctober15,17,971.7acresor41.4%oftheRefugeisopentomigratorybirdsontheRefugeinaccordancetoStateandTribalRegulations.

SmallGameTamaracNWRisopentoruffedgrouse,graysquirrel,redsquirrel,foxsquirrel,cottontailrabbit,andsnowshoeharehuntingon39,682.4acresor91.4%oftheRefugeinaccordancetoStateandTribalRegulations.AfterOctober15,42,069.7acresor96.9%oftheRefugeisopentosmallgamehuntinginaccordancetoStateandTribalRegulations.

BigGameTamaracNWRisopentowhite‐taileddeerhuntingon39,682.4acresor91.4%oftheRefugeinaccordancetoStateandTribalRegulations.AfterOctober15,42,069.7acresor96.9%oftheRefugeisopentobiggamehuntinginaccordancetoStateandTribalRegulations.

FurbearerTamaracNWRisopentoredfox,raccoon,andstripedskunkhuntingon39,682.4acresor91.4%oftheRefugeinaccordancetoStateandTribalRegulations.AfterOctober15,42,069.7acresor96.9%oftheRefugeisopentofurbearerhuntinginaccordancetoStateandTribalRegulations.

Access5.2.2.TheRefugeisopenfrom5:00amuntil10:00pmdaily.

Accessisrestrictedtofoottrafficonlywhenoffpublicandrefugeroadsandbeyondopengates.Parking,blocking,orinanymannerrestrictingaccesstoroadsandgatesisprohibited.


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AccessbybicycleontheRefugeispermittedoncountyandtownshiproads,BruceBoulevard,andtheBlackbirdWildlifeDrive.

Accessbyhorsebackisallowedoncountyandtownshiproads,butprohibitedonRefugetrailsandtheBlackbirdWildlifeDrive.

Theuseofmotorizedwatercraftforhuntingispermittedonthefollowinglakes:TwoIsland,Carmen,LowerEgg,BigEgg,Wauboose,Dry,NorthTamarac,SouthTamarac,Pine,Rice,HeightofLand,Cotton,Mud,Evans,Booth,andJohnson.Alllakeswithinareasopenduringthewaterfowlhuntingorthefishingseasonaccessiblebynon‐motorizedwatercraft.

AccessaccommodationsforAccessibleorDisabledHuntsforvariousspeciesareevaluatedonacase‐by‐casebasisandauthorizedthroughaSpecialUsePermit.

ConsultationandCoordinationwiththeStateandTribe5.2.3.TheRefugeannuallycoordinateswiththeMNDNRandtheWhiteEarthNRDtodiscusshuntingregulationsandenforcementontheRefuge.Continuedcommunicationandinformationsharingarethebest

MethodsofControlandLawEnforcement5.2.4.LawenforcementofRefuge,Tribal,andStatehuntingregulations,trespassandotherviolationsassociatedwithmanagementoftheRefugeistheresponsibilityofacommissionedRefugeLawEnforcementOfficer.RefugeOfficerscooperatewith,andareassistedby,state,tribal,andcountyofficersaswellasstateandtribalconservationofficers.TheRefugeregularlymeetswithvariousstate,tribal,andcountylawenforcementagenciestoreviewagreementsanddevelopstrategiestoensurelawenforcementoperationsareperformedassafelyandefficientlyaspossible.On‐goingcoordinationandcommunicationisconductedthroughouttheyear.AlawenforcementMemorandumofUnderstandingestablishedinOctober2014betweenUSFWSandWhiteEarthNRDsupportslawenforcementoperationsontheRefuge.

AhuntingbrochurethatidentifiesRefugespecificregulationsisavailableattheRefugeVisitorCenter,theRefuge’swebsite,andkioskslocatedatallentrancestotherefuge.

TheRefugealsousesnon‐lawenforcementstafftomanagehuntingactivities.Somestaffhavealternateworkschedulestobeavailableduringthehuntingseasonstoassisthuntersandnon‐huntersandensurethatallRefugeusersunderstandwheretolocateareasthatareopentohunting.StaffthatoperatetheRefuge’seducationandvisitorcenterroutinelyinteractwithandassistRefugeusersduringthehuntingseason.

FundingandStaffingRequirements5.2.5.ThecostsofadministeringandenforcingtheRefuge’shuntingprogramcomesoutoftheRefuge’sannualbudget.Expensesincludeprogrammanagement,staffresources,boundaryposting,signage,brochures,parkinglotconstruction,facilitymaintenance,gateinstallation,andotherhuntingspecificactivities.

5.3. ProposedChangestotheRefugeHuntingProgramThishuntplanpresentsahuntingprogramfortheRefugewithupdatesfromthecurrentprogram.Whilemanyelementsofthecurrenthuntprogramremaininplace,opportunitiestoexpandthehuntingprogramwhereminimalconflictswithotherpublicandwildlifeusesexistarebeingrecommended.

AreastobeOpened5.3.1.

AreastobeOpened/Closed CloseOctober15area(remove2387acres;EastofHwy29,WestofBlackbird,NorthofPineLake,and

SouthofCoHwy26)tomigratorybirdhunting,butwouldremainopenforsmallgame,biggame,andfurbearersonlyafterOct15.

OpentheLoonMarsharea(add2121acres;WestofCoHwy35andSouthofEggLakeTrail)formigratorybirdhunting.


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OpenJohnsonTract(add160acres)tosmallgame,biggame,andfurbearersaccordingtoStateseasonsandregulations.

CloseaportionoftheareaWestofEggLakeTrail(minus102acres)tomigratorybirdssotoalignwithexistinglawsandpolicy.

CloseaportionoftheareaEastof400thAveandSouthofCoHwy26(minus46acres)tomigratorybirdssotoalignwithexistinglawsandpolicy.

AccesstobeImproved/Limited Allowbicycleaccesstotrailswheregatesareopentovehicletraffic,inadditiontocountyandtownship

roads,BruceBoulevard,andBlackbirdWildlifeDrive.

AirboatsareprohibitedonallRefugewaters.

SpeciestobeTaken,HuntingPeriods,HuntingAccess5.3.2.

SpeciestobeTaken–MigratoryBirds MourningDovetobehuntedthroughoutthemigratorybirdhuntingareasaccordingtoStateandTribal

seasonsandregulations.

AmericanCrowtobehuntedfromSeptember1throughendofFebruarywithinthemigratorybirdhuntingareasthroughouttherefugeinconcurrencewithStateandTribalseasonsandregulations.

AmericanCrowtobehuntedfromMarch1‐endoftheseasoninmigratorybirdareasonlysouthofCountyHighway26inconcurrencewithStateseasonsandregulations.

Americancrowtobehuntedforthe1st,3rd,and4thseasonswithinthemigratorybirdhuntingareasthroughouttherefugeinconcurrencewithStateandTribalseasonsandregulations.

Americancrowtobehuntedforthe2ndseasononlywithinthemigratorybirdareassouthofCountyHighway26inconcurrencewithStateseasonsandregulations.

Rails(VirginiaRailandSora)tobehuntedthroughoutthemigratorybirdhuntingareasaccordingtoStateandTribalseasonsandregulations.

SpeciestobeTaken–Furbearers BobcattobehuntedthroughouttheRefugefromSeptember1throughendofFebruaryinconcurrencewith

StateandTribalseasonsandregulations.

SpeciestobeTaken–SmallGame WildTurkeytobehuntedthroughouttherefugeduringthefallseasonandonlysouthofCoHwy26minus

theareaEastofCoHwy29,NorthofPineLake,andWestofChippewaWaterControlStructureRoadwithinthesmallgamehuntingareasinthespringseasonaccordingtoStateandTribalseasonsandregulations.

HuntingPeriods ExtendtheseasonsinareasSouthofCoHwy26opentohuntingsmallgame,biggame,migratorybirds,and

furbearersconsistentwithStateseasonsandregulations,includingrefugespecificregulation.ThisallowshuntingopportunitiesafterFeb.28thoutsideoftheSanctuaryAreaifthestateseasonallows(i.e.Apr18–May31:WildTurkey;Mar1‐31:AmericanCrow;Mar15:GrayFox,RedFox,andRaccoon).

o 50CFR32.42,B2.Youmayonlyhuntfoxandraccoonfrom1/2hourbeforelegalsunriseuntillegalsunsetfromthebeginningoftheStateseasonthroughthelastdayofFebruarywithintheSanctuaryArea.

o 50CFR32.42,B3.Youmayonlyhuntstripedskunkfrom1/2hourbeforelegalsunriseuntillegalsunsetfromSeptember1throughthelastdayofFebruarywithintheSanctuaryArea.


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o GeneralRegulation,FurbearersmayonlybehuntedduringdaylighthoursSeptember1throughtheendofFebruarywithintheSanctuaryArea.

ProposedRegulation5.3.3. Shotgunhuntersmayonlyuseorpossessnon‐toxicshotwhilehuntingmigratorybirdsandsmallgame,

includingwildturkey.

Smallgamehuntersmustwearatleastonevisiblearticleofblazeorangeclothingabovethewaist,excludingwildturkeyhunters.

5.4. ConsultationandCoordinationwiththeStateTheRefuge’shuntingprogramhasbeendevelopedincoordinationwiththeMNDNRareamanagers.ThiscoordinationisaccomplishedthroughformalandinformalmeetingsaswellasRefugesolicitationofMNDNRcommentsonthewrittenHuntPlanandsupportingdocuments.Annualupdateswereprovidedatcoordinationmeetings.Inaddition,aformalpresentationofproposedchangeswasdeliveredandaformalcommentperiodfollowed.

5.5. ConsultationandCoordinationwithWhiteEarthTribeTheRefuge’shuntingprogramhasbeendevelopedincoordinationwiththeWhiteEarthTribe.ThiscoordinationisaccomplishedthroughformalandinformalmeetingsaswellasRefugesolicitationofWENRDcommentsonthewrittenHuntPlanandsupportingdocuments.Annualupdateswereprovidedatcoordinationmeetings.Inaddition,aformalpresentationofproposedchangeswasdeliveredandaformalcommentperiodfollowed.

6. MeasuresTakentoAvoidConflictswithOtherManagementObjectives

6.1. BiologicalConflictsTheRefugeavoidsconflictrelatedtobiologicalresourcesbyadoptingthe“wildlifefirst”principleexplicitlystatedintheRefugeImprovementAct.StaffmonitorsspeciespopulationtrendstoensurethattargetspeciescanbehuntedontheRefugewithoutadverselyaffectingthespecies.Thesemonitoringactivitiesincludedirectobservationofpopulations,consultationwithstateandServicespeciesspecialists,andreviewofcurrentspeciessurveyinformationandresearch.

TheRefugelimitsorexcludeshuntingactivitieswheretherearebiologicalconcerns.CertainareasoftheRefugearenothuntedspecificallytoprovideareasofsanctuaryfornestingandbreedingwildlife.Forexample,theBlackbirdLakeandSouthChippewaLakeareaservesasasanctuaryformigratorybirdsinanareaotherwisehuntedheavilyformigratorybirds.Althoughnotproposedinthiscurrentplan,theRefuge,inthefuture,couldlimitorexcludehuntingactivitiesonadditionalportionsoftheRefugetoavoidconflictsrelatedtobiologicalresources,suchasthreatenedorendangeredspecies.Specialhuntscouldalsobeusedtomanagehuntingpressure,providedincreasedopportunities,andmanageoveralltakeatappropriatelevels.

Statehuntingseasonsforsomesmallgamespeciesextendintothespringmigrationperiod.Forthesespecies,huntingontheRefugewithinthesanctuaryareaattheendofFebruarytoensurethatdisturbancetomigratingandbreedingbirdsisminimizedandtobalancepublicuseactivitieswithtrustwildliferesourceresponsibilities.Tribalhuntingseasonswithinthereservationboundaryaresubjecttospecialregulation.

Threefederallylistedendangered,threatened,orcandidatespeciesoccurorhavethepotentialtooccurontheRefuge.ThesespeciesincludetheGrayWolf,NorthernLong‐EaredBatandRustyPatchBumbleBee.Inaddition,thefederallyprotectedeaglesoccursontheRefuge.

TheproposedopeningoftheRefugetohuntingwillnotconflictwiththerecoveryand/orprotectionofthesespecies.AttachedandincludedinthisproposalisaSection7oftheEndangeredSpeciesActrequiringFederal


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agenciestoevaluatepotentialimpactstoThreatenedandEndangeredspeciesandtheirhabitatsandanEnvironmentalAssessmentundertheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyActspecificallyforthehuntingprogramandaddresseseachofthesespecies.

6.2. PublicUseConflictsInanefforttominimizeconflictswithprioritynon‐huntingrecreationalusesoutlinedintheImprovementAct,andforpublicsafety,theRefugedesignatesareasopentohuntingandenforcesRefuge‐specificregulations.

TheboundariesofalllandsownedormanagedbytheServicearepostedwithRefugeboundarysigns.Areasadministrativelyclosedtohuntingareclearlymarkedwith“NoHuntingZone”or“AreaBeyondThisSignClosed”or“AreaClosedWildlifeSanctuaryMarch1–August31AllPublicEntryProhibited”signs.

Overall,huntingimpactstovisitorservices/recreationopportunitiesareconsideredshort‐term,minorandlocalsinceotherpartsoftheRefugeareavailableforusebynon‐hunters(otherwildlife‐dependentrecreationusers).

6.3. AdministrativeUseConflictsThemostpotentialforconflictwithmanagementactivitiesoccursinareaswherehabitattreatmentsareconducted.Occasionally,anareaopentohuntingisproposedtoreceiveaprescribedfiretreatment.Typically,anoticeoftheimpendingtreatmentispostedattheunitpublicaccesspointstoalertallusers,includinghunters.Priortoimplementingthefiretreatment,thetreatmentunitisscoutedbyRefugefirestafftoensurethatnooneisendangeredbythetreatment.Otherhabitattreatmentssuchastimberharvestingorinvasivespeciestreatmentmaygenerateatemporaryorlong‐termclosureofanarea.Aquaticinvasivespeciesdetectioncouldleadtoclosureofoneormorewaterbodiestopreventfurtherspread.Alapseofresourcesorfundingmayalsocauseatemporaryorlong‐termclosure.NoticeorinformationaboutanyoftheseclosuresmaybepostedandavailableattheRefugeVisitorCenter.

7. ConductoftheHuntWherehuntingontheRefugeisallowed,itfollowstheseasondatesandbaglimitsintheStateandTribalregulations.OtherstateregulationsincorporatedintotheRefugehuntingprogramincludeallmethodsoftakelegalinMinnesota(i.e.,firearms,archery,falconry),allhuntingweaponsandammunitionrestrictions(e.g.,caliberandloads),andallstate‐regulatedspecialseasons(e.g.,earlygoose,youthdeer,youthturkey,youthwaterfowl)unlessotherwiserestrictedbyRefuge‐specificregulation.

AllhuntingactivityissubjecttoRefuge‐specificregulations(asnotedbelow)inadditiontoStateandTribalregulations.Theseregulationsmaybemodifiedasconditionschangeorifrefugeexpansionoccurs.

StateandTribalhuntingregulationsapplicabletotheRefuge,suchasseasons,baglimits,andgeneralmethodsoftakearepublishedintheMinnesotaHuntingandTrappingRegulationsHandbookandtheWhiteEarthConservationCode.Inaddition,asynopsisofRefuge‐specificregulationsismadeavailabletothepublicintheRefuge’shuntingbrochure.CopiesofthehuntingbrochureareavailableattheRefuge’sVisitorCenter,unitentrancekiosks,andontheRefugeinternetwebsite.

7.1. CurrentRefugeSpecificHuntingRegulations

GeneralRegulations7.1.1.HuntingispermittedinaccordancewithMinnesotaandWhiteEarthReservationseasons.AllapplicableFederal,StateandWhiteEarthReservationregulationsapply,subjecttotheSpecialConditionslisted:

•Shotgunhuntersmayonlyuseorpossessnon‐toxicshotwhilehuntingmigratorybirdsandsmallgame.

•Smallgamehuntersmustwearatleastonevisiblearticleofblazeorangeclothingabovethewaist.

•Parking,blocking,orinanymannerrestrictingaccesstoroadsandgatesisprohibited.


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Note:Loggingtrucksandheavyequipment,whichrequirelargeturningareas,mayneedaccesstoroadsortrails.

•Allblinds,platforms,stands,andstepsmustbetemporaryandremovedfromtherefugedaily.

•Useofnail,screw,bolt,andwiretoattachastandtoatreeisprohibited.

•Overnightstorageofanypersonalpropertyisprohibited.

•SnowmobilesandATVsareprohibitedonrefugeroadsandtrails.

•Motorvehiclesarerestrictedtopublicroadsandrefugeroadswheregatesareopen.

•FurbearersmayonlybehuntedduringdaylighthoursSeptember1throughtheendofFebruary.

•Useofdogstohuntfurbearersisprohibited.

•Target,skeet,trap,andindiscriminateshootingisprohibited.

•Useorpossessionofalcoholicbeverageswhilehuntingisprohibited.

•Firesarepermittedonlyingrillsatthepicnicsitesprovided.

•Refugeisopenfrom5a.m.to10p.m.daily.

•Overnightcampingandparkingisprohibited.

•Tribaltrappingandsnaringisallowedbypermitonly.

Note:WhiteEarthReservationfirearmsdeerseasonrunsfromOctoberthroughDecember.

FederalRegulations(50CFR32.42)7.1.2.

SectionA.NationalWildlifeRefugeSystemLandsRegulationspertainingtopublicuse,includinghunting,onallNationalWildlifeRefugesarefoundwithin50CodeofFederalRegulations(CFR).TheregulationsastheyarepublishedintheCFR,aretheofficialnotificationtothepublic.SubchapterCreferstoallpartsundertheNationalWildlifeRefugeSystem.RegulationsspecifictohuntingonallNationalWildlifeRefugesarefoundin50CFR32.2.Theystate:

§32.2 WhataretherequirementsforhuntingonareasoftheNationalWildlifeRefugeSystem?ThefollowingprovisionsshallapplytoeachpersonwhileengagedinpublichuntingonareasoftheNationalWildlifeRefugeSystem:

(a)EachpersonshallsecureandpossesstherequiredStatelicense.

(b)Eachperson16yearsofageandoldershallsecureandpossessaMigratoryBirdHuntingStampwhilehuntingmigratorywaterfowl.

(c)EachpersonshallcomplywiththeapplicableprovisionsofFederallawandregulationsincludingthissubchapterandthecurrentFederalMigratoryBirdRegulations.

(d)EachpersonshallcomplywiththeapplicableprovisionsofthelawsandregulationsoftheStatewhereinanyareaislocatedunlessfurtherrestrictedbyFederallaworregulation.

(e)Eachpersonshallcomplywiththetermsandconditionsauthorizingaccessoruseofwildliferefuges,includingthetermsandconditionsunderwhichhuntingpermitsareissued.

(f)Eachpersonmustcomplywiththeprovisionsofanyrefuge‐specificregulationsgoverninghuntingonthewildliferefugearea.Regulations,specialconditions,andmapsofthehuntingareasforaparticular


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wildliferefugeareavailableatthatarea'sheadquarters.Inaddition,refuge‐specifichuntingregulationsformigratorygamebird,uplandgame,andbiggamehuntingappearin§§32.20through32.72.

(g)Theuseofanydrugonanyarrowforbowhuntingonnationalwildliferefugesisprohibited.Archersmaynothavearrowsemployingsuchdrugsintheirpossessiononanynationalwildliferefuge.

(h)Theunauthorizeddistributionofbaitandthehuntingoverbaitisprohibitedonwildliferefugeareas.(BaitingisauthorizedinaccordancewithStateregulationsonnationalwildliferefugesinAlaska).

(i)Theuseofnails,wire,screwsorboltstoattachastandtoatree,orhuntingfromatreeintowhichametalobjecthasbeendriventosupportahunterisprohibitedonwildliferefugeareas.

(j)Theuseorpossessionofalcoholicbeverageswhilehuntingisprohibited.

(k)Youmaypossessonlyapprovednontoxicshotwhileinthefield,whichweidentifyin50CFR20.21(j),whileonWaterfowlProductionAreas,oroncertainotherareasoftheNationalWildlifeRefugeSystemasdelineatedonmaps,leafletsand/orsigns,availableateachrefugeheadquartersorpostedateachrefuge,orasstatedinrefuge‐specificregulations.Whereweallowturkeyanddeerhunting,youmayuseslugsandshotcontainingleadtohuntthesespeciesunlessprohibitedbyrefuge‐specificregulationsand/orStatelaw.

(l)Therefuge‐specificregulations(§32.20through§32.72)mayincludetheitemsdiscussedin§32.3(b).Refugepermitsandbrochuresshouldalsoincludethoseitemsandanyspecialconditionsallowedbyparagraph(f)ofthissection.

OtherregulationsrelatedtoactivitiestypicallyassociatedwithhuntingandapplytoallNationalWildlifeRefugesarefoundelsewherein50CFR.Theyareasfollows:

§26.21Generaltrespassprovision.(a)Nopersonshalltrespass,includingbutnotlimitedtoentering,occupying,using,orbeingupon,anynationalwildliferefuge,exceptasspecificallyauthorizedinthissubchapterCorinotherapplicableFederalregulations.

(b)Nounconfineddomesticanimals,includingbutnotlimitedtodogs,hogs,cats,horses,sheepandcattle,shallbepermittedtoenteruponanynationalwildliferefugeortoroamatlargeuponsuchanarea,exceptasspecificallyauthorizedundertheprovisionsof§26.34,§27.91or§29.2ofthissubchapterC.

§27.31Generalprovisionsregardingvehicles.Travelinoruseofanymotorizedorothervehicles,includingthoseusedonair,water,ice,snow,isprohibitedonnationalwildliferefugesexceptondesignatedroutesoftravel,asindicatedbytheappropriatetrafficcontrolsignsorsignalsandindesignatedareaspostedordelineatedonmapsbytherefugemanagerandsubjecttorequirementsandlimitations.

§27.42Firearms.Onlythefollowingpersonsmaypossess,use,ortransportfirearmsonnationalwildliferefugesinaccordancewiththissectionandapplicableFederalandStatelaw:

(a)Personsusingfirearmsforpublichuntingundertheprovisionsof50CFRpart32.

(b)Personscarryingunloadedfirearms,thataredismantledorcased,invehiclesandboatsoverroutesoftraveldesignatedundertheprovisionofsubchapterC.

(c)Personsauthorizedtousefirearmsforthetakingofspecimensofwildlifeforscientificpurposes.

(d)Personsauthorizedbyspecialregulationsorpermitstopossessorusefirearmsfortheprotectionofproperty,forfieldtrials,andotherspecialpurposes.


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(e)NotwithstandinganyotherprovisioninthisChapter,personsmaypossess,carry,andtransportconcealed,loaded,andoperablefirearmswithinanationalwildliferefugeinaccordancewiththelawsofthestateinwhichthewildliferefuge,orthatportionthereof,islocated,exceptasotherwiseprohibitedbyapplicableFederallaw.

§27.43Weaponsotherthanfirearms.Theuseorpossessionofcrossbows,bowsandarrows,airguns,spears,gigs,orotherweaponsonnationalwildliferefugesisprohibitedexceptasmaybeauthorizedundertheprovisionofthissubchapterC.

SectionB.TamaracNationalWildlifeRefugeRegulationspertainingtopublicuse,includinghunting,specificallyonTamaracNationalWildlifeRefugearefoundin50CFR32.42.Theystate:

A.MigratoryGameBirdHuntingWeallowthehuntingofgoose,duck,coot,woodcock,andsnipeondesignatedareasoftherefugeinaccordancewithStateregulationssubjecttothefollowingconditions:

1.HuntingbytribalmembersisinaccordancewithWhiteEarthReservationregulationsonthoseportionsoftheReservationthatareapartoftherefuge.

2.Youmustremoveallpersonalproperty,whichincludesboats,decoys,andblindsbroughtontotherefugeeachday(see§§27.93and27.94ofthischapter).

3.Weallowtheuseofhuntingdogs,providedthedogisundertheimmediatecontrolofthehunteratalltimes,duringtheState‐approvedhuntingseason(see§26.21(b)ofthischapter).

4.Weprohibitcamping.

5.Forhunting,youmayuseorpossessonlyapprovednontoxicshotshellswhileinthefield(see§32.2(k)).

B.UplandGameHuntingWeallowhuntingofruffedgrouse,red,gray,andfoxsquirrel,cottontailrabbit,jackrabbit,snowshoehare,redfox,raccoon,andstripedskunkondesignatedareasoftherefugeinaccordancewithStateregulationssubjecttothefollowingconditions:

1.HuntingbytribalmembersisinaccordancewithWhiteEarthReservationregulationsonthosepartsoftheReservationthatarepartoftherefuge.

2.Youmayonlyhuntfoxandraccoonfrom1/2hourbeforelegalsunriseuntillegalsunsetfromthebeginningoftheStateseasonthroughthelastdayofFebruary.

3.Youmayonlyhuntstripedskunkfrom1/2hourbeforelegalsunriseuntillegalsunsetfromSeptember1throughthelastdayofFebruary.

4.Werequirehunterstowearatleastonearticleofblazeorangeclothingvisibleabovethewaist.

5.ConditionsA3throughA5apply.

C.BigGameHuntingWeallowhuntingofwhite‐taileddeerondesignatedareasoftherefugeinaccordancewithStateregulationssubjecttothefollowingconditions:

1.HuntingbytribalmembersisinaccordancewithWhiteEarthReservationregulationsonthosepartsoftheReservationthatarepartoftherefuge.

2.Theconstructionoruseofpermanentblinds,platformsorladdersisnotpermitted.

3.Allstandsmustberemovedfromtherefugeattheendofeachday'shunt.


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4.ConditionA4applies.

7.2. AnticipatedPublicReactiontotheHuntingProgramBasedonthecommentsreceivedduringourinitialpubliclisteningsessiononFebruary5,2017,littlenegativepublicreactionisexpected.Themajorityofcommentswereinsupportofhuntingandfocusedonincreasedhuntingopportunitiesandaccess.IngeneralpublicreactiontohuntingactivitiesonRefugelandsvaries.

Concernsrelatedtohuntingasidentifiedfromsubsequentusercontactsrelatetomaintaininghuntingopportunities,wildlifepopulationcontrol,potentialusergroupconflictsandpublicsafety.Effortshavebeenmadetoaddressuserconcernsbyfocusinghuntingopportunitiestospecificportionsoftherefugeandspecificmethodsoftakewithintheframeworkofstateseasonsandlimits.

7.3. MediaSelectionforAnnouncingandPublicizingtheHuntRemindersofupcominghuntingseasonsandinstructionswheretofindadditionalinformationareplacedontheRefugewebsiteandFacebookpage.

TheRefugemaintainsamailinglist,fornewsreleasepurposes,tolocalnewspapers,radio,andwebsites.Specialannouncementsandarticlesmaybereleasedinconjunctionwithhuntingseasonsvianewsreleasesandsocialmedia.Inaddition,informationregardingRefugehuntingopportunitiesispostedontheTamaracNWRwebsite,atthevisitorcenter,andinkiosks.

7.4. GeneralRequirementsGeneralinformationregardinghuntingandtheotherwildlife‐dependentpublicusescanbeobtainedatTamaracNationalWildlifeRefugeheadquartersat35704CountyHighway26,Rochert,Minnesota56578orbycalling218.847.2641.Dates,forms,huntingareamaps,andpermitrequirementsaboutthehuntwillbeavailableattheRefugeVisitorCenterortheRefuge’swebsiteat:http://www.fws.gov/refuge/tamarac/

InformationregardinggeneralhuntingregulationsfortheStateofMinnesotaisavailableattheDNRInformationCenter,500LayfayetteRoad,St.Paul,MN55155‐4040orontheirwebsiteat:www.mdnr.gov/hunting.

InformationregardinggeneralhuntingregulationsfortheWhiteEarthNationisavailableattheDepartmentofNaturalResources,POBox393,216NorthMainStreet,Mahnomen,Minnesota56557.TheWhiteEarthTribalConservationCodeisalsoavailableontheWhiteEarthNationwebsiteat:http://www.whiteearth.com/programs/index.html@page_id=260&program_id=8.html

7.5. HunterRequirementsStateandTribalregulationsestablishhunterrequirements(i.e.age,equipment,licensesandpermits,reportingharvest,andhuntersafetytraining).

8. CompatibilityDeterminationHuntingandallassociatedprogramactivitiesproposedinthisplanarecompatiblewiththepurposeoftheRefuge.ThecurrentHuntingCompatibilityDeterminationwascompletedinSeptemberof2010.However,anupdateddraftwillbecompletedinconjunctionwiththisHuntPlan.


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ReferencesDexter,Margaret.2015.2015Smallgamehuntermailsurvey.MinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResources,St.Paul,Minnesota,USA.

Dexter,Margaret.2016.2016Smallgamehuntermailsurvey.MinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResources,St.Paul,Minnesota,USA.

Erb,John.2016.RegisteredFurbearerHarvestStatistics2015‐16.MinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResources,St.Paul,Minnesota,USA.

Messinger,Lindsey.2017.Minnesota’sWildTurkeyHarvest–Fall2016,Spring2017.MinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResources,St.Paul,Minnesota,USA.

MNDNR.2017.2016MinnesotaDeerHarvestReport.MinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResources,St.Paul,Minnesota,USA.

Raftovich,R.V.,S.C.Chandler,andK.K.Fleming.2017.Migratorybirdhuntingactivityandharvestduringthe2015‐16and2016‐17huntingseasons.U.S.FishandWildlifeService,Laurel,Maryland,USA.

Seamans,M.E.2016.Mourningdovepopulationstatus,2016.U.S.DepartmentoftheInterior,FishandWildlifeService,DivisionofMigratoryBirdManagement,Washington,D.C.

Seamans,M.E.,andR.D.Rau.2017.Americanwoodcockpopulationstatus,2017.U.S.FishandWildlifeService,Laurel,Maryland.

Verbeek,N.A.andC.Caffrey(2002).AmericanCrow(Corvusbrachyrhynchos),version2.0.InTheBirdsofNorthAmerica(A.F.PooleandF.B.Gill,Editors).CornellLabofOrnithology,Ithaca,NY,USA.https://doi.org/10.2173/bna.647

Clapp,R.B.andR.C.Banks.1993.Nestingseasons,nestsites,andclutchsizesofcrowsinVirginia.Ravenno.64:90‐98.


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AppendixA.CurrentHuntingMap(fromCCP)


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AppendixB.CurrentHuntingMapwithRegulations